Batting

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall's baseball team fell behind early and was unable to crawl back into Tuesday's Centennial Conference (CC) contest against Gettysburg, falling by an 11-4 score on the road.

The defeat dropped the Diplomats to 13-9, 2-1 CC while the Bullets improved to 14-8-2, 2-1 CC.

F&M struck first with a two-out rally in the bottom of the opening frame. David Iacobucci jumpstarted the action with a single through the left side before a Christopher Vincent walk, followed by a wild pitch, placed runners at second and third. Kyle Ebert knocked both runs home in the next at-bat, singling through the left side to make the score 2-0.

In the second inning, Gettysburg's offense hit their stride with a two-out rally of their own, when five straight Bullets reached base, including a two-RBI triple from center fielder Chuck Probst, en route to a seven-run frame.

One-run innings in both the fourth and fifth extended the Bullets' lead to 9-2, before F&M answered in the top of the six with two runs on four hits, including doubles from catcher Danny Blugis and shortstop Justin Cavegn, to help the Diplomats pull within five.

However, Gettysburg put the contest out of reach for good by tacking on two more runs in the eighth that were the result of a costly infield error and a pair of wild pitches.

Total team hits were even at 11. The Diplomats stranded 12 base runners on the day compared to just three from the Bullets. Cavegn, Ebert, Blugis and Kevin Lammers all recorded two hits. Both of Blugis' hits were doubles, while Ebert added a pair of RBIs.

Starter Jack Buckley (1-3) suffered the loss after tossing 1 2/3 innings and allowing seven earned on five hits. Sam Ackerman provided relief out of the bullpen by tossing 5 1/3 frames and surrendering just two earned.

Reliever Matt Ainsworth (3-0) picked up the victory with 1 2/3 innings of work, while Aaron Bezio earned the save due to his three scoreless innings on the mound.

CC competition continues on Friday when F&M hosts Gettysburg at Caplan Field for a 3:30 p.m. tilt.